Protective hairstyling garment

ABSTRACT

A protective hairstyling garment; the protective hairstyling garment includes a protective garment having a collar section and a cape section. The collar section includes an elongated body configured to encompass and secure around a neck of a user-wearer. The cape section is configured to cover a substantial portion of a shoulder and collarbone area of the user-wearer. The cape section is removably attachable to the collar section to provide effective and whole protection of the neck, shoulder and collarbone area of the user-wearer from touch contact by heated hairstyling tools such as curling irons and flat irons.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/360,058 filed Sep. 2, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of garments of existing art and more specifically relates to protective collars.

RELATED ART

Heat based hair styling devices such as curling irons and flat irons have become popular for styling hair. Unfortunately, people frequently accidentally burn themselves with such hair styling tools. Curling irons and the like are extremely hot and even a quick tap singes the skin. This can be painful, and it leaves an unsightly mark. Overexposure to heat from such devices can cause irritation, discomfort, burning and discoloration to skin. This is not only annoying and unsightly, but in some incidents long term or extensive permanent damage may be experienced.

To add insult to injury, the mark a curling iron or other hot hair apparatus leaves, and especially because of the placement of that mark, often resembles a hickey. A hickey mark can be embarrassing, but it can be even more embarrassing if it's not actually a hickey mark at all. Worse, a mark that resembles an erythema of that nature can imply negative connotations about the person with such a mark. Often, it's females who curl their hair so these connotations can be degrading as well as socially and professionally damaging. This impacts teens and adults alike. The existing skin protectors do not provide the skin protection required during normal use of some heat-based hair styling appliances. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2014/0331396 to Kimberly Dawn Smith relates to a love my neck protector. The described love my neck protector is a neck protector which helps eliminate someone from burning their neck while using curling irons and hair straighteners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known protective collar art, the present disclosure provides a novel protective hairstyling garment. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a protective hairstyling garment that protects a user-wearer from experiencing burns and associated discomfort caused by devices such as curling irons, flat irons and other hot hairstyling devices.

A protective hairstyling garment is disclosed herein. The protective hairstyling garment is a protective garment including a collar section and a cape section. The collar section comprises an elongated body configured to effectively encompass and secure around a neck of a user-wearer. The cape section is configured to cover a substantial portion of a shoulder area and a collarbone area of the user-wearer. The cape section is removably attachable to the collar section to provide effective and whole protection of the neck, shoulders, and collarbone area of the user-wearer from touch contact by heated hairstyling tools such as a curling iron and/or other hot hairstyling devices.

The cape section is pliable and comprises a wedge section. The wedge section of the cape section allows the cape section to drape comfortably around a user-wearer. The collar section features mating fasteners positioned at opposing ends of the collar section. The mating fasteners are configured to secure the collar section around the neck of the user-wearer. The mating fasteners may include corresponding hook-and-loop fastener sections or other suitable fastening means such as securing snaps, buttons, pressure sensitive adhesive and the like.

As above, the protective hairstyling garment may include the collar section and the cape section provided for protection for a user-wearer from burns caused by devices such as curling irons and straight irons. The collar portion and the cape portion of the protective hairstyling garment can be made from one layer or more than one layer of material(s). In one embodiment, the collar section and the cape portion each comprise three layers. An exterior layer comprises a heat-and burn resistant material such as silicon fabric, cotton and/or cotton blends. A middle layer comprises a semi-rigid cotton batting and/or insul-bright batting. A skin contacting layer includes a soft material such as rayon, cotton, or satin for user-comfort during wear and simple washability. In an embodiment featuring a single layer of material, the material for both segments of the protective hairstyling garment can be made of various materials to include but not limited to neoprene, silicone, silicone fabric, Yulex natural rubber, nitrile, etc.

In one embodiment, the collar section comprises a length of approximately eighteen inches and a height of approximately two and one-half inches. In other embodiments, the collar section ranges in length from eighteen inches to twenty-four inches. The cape section comprises a length of approximately 15 inches and a height of approximately 5 inches. In alternative embodiments, the cape section extends to cover a substantial portion of a body of the user-wearer in addition to covering the neck and the shoulder area of the user-wearer. The cape section comprises a length of approximately 30 inches and a height of approximately 58 inches. The cape section of the protective hairstyling garment can be of various lengths to include but not limited to any length from five inches to 60 inches.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a protective hairstyling garment, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the protective hairstyling garment during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the protective hairstyling garment of FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a collar section and a cape section of the protective hairstyling garment of FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cut away view of the collar section of the protective hairstyling garment of FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the collar section of the protective hairstyling garment of FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the cape section of the protective hairstyling garment of FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a protective garment and more particularly to a protective hairstyling garment as used to improve the use of heated hairstyling tools by preventing unintentional contact with the bare skin of the wearer, and the wearer is thus protected from common injuries known to cause pain, temporary marks, inflammations and permanent scars. Heated hairstyling tools can be extremely hot and even a quick tap singes the skin. This can be painful, and it leaves an unsightly mark.

Generally, the protective hairstyling garment is an insulated and heat-resistant garment that can be applied about the neck, shoulders, and collarbone area while a user-wearer is undergoing hair grooming with a curling iron, flat iron or other hot hairstyling device. The protective garment includes a collar section and a removably attachable cape section. The collar section and the cape section feature at least one fastener for attachment of these two segments to each other. The fasteners used to attach these two segments may include one or more of the following fastener types: securing snaps, buttons, hook-and-loop material, pressure sensitive adhesive and others. The protective hairstyling garment enwraps the neck, shoulders and collarbone area of a user-wearer. The protective hairstyling garment prevents direct contact of a curling iron upon a user of the heated tool.

By preventing direct contact of a hot hairstyling device upon a user the protective hairstyling garment provides protection against temporary marks and inflammations that appear on the skin after accidental contact with a curling iron. The protective hairstyling garment prevents burns caused by direct contact of a curling iron with the body of a user, which commonly range in the first- and second-degree burn categories. The protective hairstyling garment prevents blisters, swelling, and scars caused by first- and second-degree burns. Additionally, protective hairstyling garment eliminates the need to treat burns caused by curling iron contact. The protective hairstyling garment prevents curling irons from negatively impacting their intended goal of improvement in appearance of the user.

The protective hairstyling garment prevents the appearance of burn marks on and about the neck, shoulders, and collarbones of the user. The protective hairstyling garment also prevents the negative reception that burn marks can receive from others. The protective hairstyling garment prevents the creation of marks that appear to be erythemas on and about the neck (commonly referred to as “hickeys” and “passion marks”). The protective hairstyling garment also prevents the negative character image associated with erythemas on the neck. Further, the protective hairstyling garment prevents the creation of marks that appear to be results of domestic violence on and about the neck. The protective hairstyling garment prevents the negative social image associated with domestic violence victimization.

The protective hairstyling garment is made in separate segments for application upon the neck and over the shoulders and collarbones. In one embodiment, the collar section includes three (3) layers, and measures approximately eighteen inches in length by two and one-half inches in height by one-eighth of one inch in depth. A skin contacting layer of this segment, which makes direct contact with the user, is made of a soft, comfortable material that is easily washable. Such material may include durable cotton blend broadcloth, cotton, rayon, polyester, satin and any blend of these and other materials. A middle layer can be produced of various materials of adequate temperature insulation capabilities, including but not limited to cotton batting, insul-batting, polyester and any blend of these and other materials. The exterior, outer layer of the fabric can be made of various materials capable of heat resistance and/or non-marking from heat contact. These materials include silicone fabric, cotton, polyester, and any blend of these and other materials. On the length-ends of this collar segment is at least one fastener. The at least one fastener may include corresponding swatches of hook-and-loop material, snaps and/or buttons.

The segment for application about the shoulders and collarbones, also known as the cape section, is preferably produced from the same three layers of material as the collar section. In one embodiment this cape section is approximately fifteen inches in length by five inches in height. In a second embodiment the cape section is approximately thirty inches in length by fifty-eight inches in height. The cape section applies to the collar section by corresponding fasteners featured on the top hem of the cape section and on the bottom hem of the collar section. These fasteners may include one or more fasteners from the following list of fasteners: securing snaps, buttons, hook-and-loop material, pressure-sensitive adhesive and others.

In another alternative embodiment, the protective hairstyling garment may be made in a single piece variety that includes the cape section permanently attached to the collar section. Additionally, the protective hairstyling garment may be made in formats only to protect the neck and without the cape section. The protective hairstyling garment may be made in variations that include extending pockets for covering of the ears.

Prior to using a curling iron, a user may attach the two segments of the protective hairstyling garment together and then apply the device, using the fastener of the collar portion. The user may then safely engage in use of a curling iron, which will be prevented from direct contact with the skin of the user. In one embodiment, should the curling iron make accidental contact with the protective hairstyling garment, the exterior layer will prevent said curling iron from burning the user and/or otherwise affecting the appearance of the device. Additionally, the interior layer of cotton batting or like material will repel the heat. Through these measures, the wearer is fully protected from any contact with the curing iron and its heat. The second portion of the protective hairstyling garment extends that protection to the shoulders and collarbone area of the wearer. Throughout wear, the interior lining of both segments of the protective hairstyling garment will provide comfortable contact upon the wearer, as well. In another embodiment, the single layer of neoprene will protect the user-wearer from accidental contact by repealing the heat from the hot hair styling apparatus.

In another embodiment, the two segments of the protective hairstyling garment may be produced from a single layer of heat-and-burn resistant material. The single layer of material may be one of the following or others: neoprene, silicone, silicone fabric, Yulex natural rubber, and/or nitrile. In such an embodiment the single layer of heat-and-burn resistant material will protect the user-wearer from accidental contact with the hot hair styling apparatus.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-6 , various views of a protective hairstyling garment 100.

FIG. 1 shows a protective hairstyling garment 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the protective hairstyling garment 100 may be beneficial for use by a user-wearer 40 to prevent burns from occurring while using heated hairstyling tools. As illustrated, the protective hairstyling garment 100 may comprise a protective garment including a collar section 110 and a cape section 120. The collar section 110 comprises an elongated body 112 configured to encompass and secure around a neck of a user-wearer 40. The cape section 120 is configured to cover a substantial portion of a shoulder area and a collarbone area of the user-wearer 40. The cape section 120 is removably attachable to the collar section 110 to provide effective and whole protection of the neck, the shoulder area and the collarbone area of the user-wearer 40 from touch contact with heated hairstyling tools. The protective hairstyling garment 100 prevents marks and inflammations that appear on skin after accidental contact with a curling iron and/or other hot hairstyling device.

FIG. 2 shows the protective hairstyling garment 100 of FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the protective hairstyling garment 100 may include the collar section 110 and the cape section 120 provided for protection for a user-wearer 40 from burns caused by devices such as curling irons and straight irons. The cape section 120 is pliable and comprises a wedge section 122. The wedge section 122 of the cape section 120 allows the cape section 120 to drape comfortably around a user-wearer 40. The collar section 110 comprises mating fasteners 124 positioned at opposing ends of the collar section 110. The mating fasteners 124 are configured to secure the collar section 110 around the neck of the user-wearer 40. The mating fasteners 124 comprise corresponding hook-and-loop fastener sections or other suitable fastening means such as securing snaps, buttons, pressure sensitive adhesive and the like.

As shown, the collar section 110 further comprises female-fasteners 114 and the cape section 120 comprises male-fasteners 126 configured to mate and secure the collar section 110 to the cape section 120 for use. In a preferred embodiment the female-fasteners 114 include female snap fastener portions and the male-fasteners 126 comprise male snap fastener portions. In other embodiments, other suitable fasteners may be used. The female-fasteners 114 of the collar section 110 are positioned along a bottom hem of the collar section 110. The male-fasteners 126 of the cape section 120 are positioned along a top hem of the cape section 120.

In one embodiment, the collar section 110 comprises a length of approximately eighteen inches and a height of approximately two and one-half inches. The cape section 120 comprises a length of approximately 15 inches and a height of approximately 5 inches. The protective hairstyling garment 100 may be made in various sizes and shapes.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the collar section 110 and the cape section 120 of the protective hairstyling garment of FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to one embodiment, the protective hairstyling garment 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the protective hairstyling garment 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the protective hairstyling garment 100 such that the protective hairstyling garment 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

FIG. 4 is a cut away view of the protective hairstyling garment 100 of FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The collar portion and the cape portion of the protective hairstyling garment 100 can be made from one layer or more than one layer of material(s). In one embodiment, the collar section 110 and the cape portion 120 each comprise three layers. An exterior layer 140 comprises a heat-and burn resistant material such as silicon fabric, cotton and/or cotton blends. A middle layer 142 comprises a semi-rigid cotton batting and/or insul-bright batting. A skin contacting layer 144 includes a soft material such as rayon, cotton, or satin for user-comfort during wear and simple washability. In an embodiment featuring a single layer of material, the material for both segments of the protective hairstyling garment 100 can be made of various materials to include but not limited to neoprene, silicone, silicone fabric, Yulex natural rubber, nitrile, etc.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the collar section 110 of the protective hairstyling garment of FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The protective hairstyling garment 100 includes the collar section 110 having the mating fasteners 124 positioned at opposing ends of the collar section 110. The collar section 110 is ergonomically shaped to cover an entire neck and throat area of the user-wearer 40. The mating fasteners 124 comprise corresponding hook-and-loop fastener sections. Other suitable fastening means may be used such as securing snaps, buttons, pressure sensitive adhesive and the like. A circumference of the collar section 110 is adjustable to account for similar-yet-different sized necks.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the cape section 120 of the protective hairstyling garment of FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An alternative embodiment is show in FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, the cape section 120 extends to cover a substantial portion of a body of the user-wearer 40 in addition to covering the neck and the shoulder area of the user-wearer 40. The cape section 120 comprises a length of approximately 30 inches and a height of approximately 58 inches. The cape section 120 of the protective hairstyling garment 100 can be of various lengths to include but not limited to any length from five inches to 60 inches.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A protective hairstyling garment, the protective hairstyling garment comprising: a protective garment including, a collar section comprising an elongated body configured to encompass and secure around a neck of a user-wearer; and a cape section configured to cover a substantial portion of a shoulder area and a collarbone area of said user-wearer; and wherein said cape section is removably attachable to said collar section to provide effective and whole protection of said neck, said shoulder area and said collarbone area of said user-wearer from touch contact by heated hairstyling tools.
 2. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 1, wherein the collar section comprises mating fasteners positioned at opposing ends of said collar section.
 3. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 2, wherein the mating fasteners comprise corresponding fastener units selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop fastener sections, snaps, buttons, and pressure sensitive adhesive.
 4. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 1, wherein the collar section comprises female-fasteners and said cape section comprises male-fasteners configured to mate and secure said collar section to said cape section for use.
 5. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 4, wherein the female-fasteners comprise female snap fastener portions and said male-fasteners comprise male snap fastener portions.
 6. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 4, wherein the female-fasteners of said collar section are positioned along a bottom hem.
 7. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 4, wherein the male-fasteners of said cape section are positioned along a top hem.
 8. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 1, wherein the collar section and said cape portion each comprise at least one layer.
 9. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 8, wherein said collar section and said cape portion each comprise three layers.
 10. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 9, wherein an exterior layer comprises a heat- and burn resistant material.
 11. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 10, wherein a middle layer comprises a semi-rigid cotton batting material.
 12. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 1, wherein a skin contacting layer includes a soft material for user-comfort during wear.
 13. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 1, wherein a circumference of said collar section is adjustable.
 14. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 1, wherein said cape section is pliable and comprises a wedge section.
 15. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 1, wherein the collar section comprises a length of approximately eighteen inches and a height of approximately two and one-half inches.
 16. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 1, wherein the cape section comprises a length of approximately 15 inches and a height of approximately 5 inches.
 17. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 1, wherein the cape section extends to cover a substantial portion of a body of said user-wearer in addition to covering said neck and said shoulder area of said user-wearer.
 18. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 17, wherein the cape section comprises a length of approximately 30 inches and a height of approximately 58 inches.
 19. A protective hairstyling garment, the protective hairstyling garment comprising: a protective garment including, a collar section comprising an elongated body configured to encompass and secure around a neck of a user-wearer; and a cape section configured to cover a substantial portion of a shoulder area and a collarbone area of said user-wearer; and wherein said cape section is removably attachable to said collar section to provide effective and whole protection of said neck, said shoulder area and said collarbone area of said user-wearer from touch contact by heated hairstyling tools; wherein the collar section comprises mating fasteners positioned at opposing ends of said collar section; wherein the mating fasteners comprise corresponding hook-and-loop fastener sections; wherein the collar section comprises female-fasteners and said cape section comprises male-fasteners configured to mate and secure said collar section to said cape section for use; wherein the female-fasteners comprise female snap fastener portions and said male-fasteners comprise male snap fastener portions; wherein the female-fasteners of said collar section are positioned along a bottom hem; wherein the male-fasteners of said cape section are positioned along a top hem; wherein the collar section and said cape portion each comprise at least one layer; wherein a circumference of said collar section is adjustable; and wherein said cape section is pliable and comprises a wedge section.
 20. The protective hairstyling garment of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the protective hairstyling garment is arranged as a kit. 